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  • $43.4m: Osinbajo’s panel shuns lobbyists, pledges fairness

    $43.4m: Osinbajo’s panel shuns lobbyists, pledges fairness

    The Presidential Investigative Committee probing two suspended government officials resisted some pressure, it was learnt yesterday.

    The panel, headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo,  probed Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General  Ayo Oke, who have been suspended.

    Also yesterday, it was learnt that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives are yet to vacate Apartment 7B in Osborne Towers, Lagos where $43.4 million was recovered.

    The  anti-graft agency said its operatives were still in charge of the apartment to prevent anyone or group from tampering with some evidence.

    Lawal is being probed for a N200 million contract awarded to a company, Global Vision Limited,  allegedly linked with him by the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) for the clearing of “invasive plant species” (weeds) in Yobe State.

    Oke is being investigated for the $43.4 million.

    The committee yesterday tidied up its report, it was learnt.

    The source said: “There were many lobbyists trying to reach out to the committee but the vice president and his team shunned them. The panel is going ahead with the submission of its report.

    “Although some of these lobbyists came up with religious and ethnic sentiments, the panel was not swayed by their arguments in any manner whatsoever.

    “All the vice president kept on saying to those who appeared for interrogation was that the panel will be firm and fair to all.”

    The panel is expected to make “far-reaching” recommendations, not just on the $43.4 million and PINE but how to  protect key institutions.

    “The panel has come up with suggestion to strengthen the nation’s institutions. Some of these institutions have been  bastardised and weakened,” the source said.

     

     

  • $43.4m: Osinbajo panel to quiz NIA boss again

    $43.4m: Osinbajo panel to quiz NIA boss again

    Cash not slush fund, says NIA

    DSS boss offers to testify at panel

    National Intelligence Agency (NIA) boss Ayo Oke is to face the Presidential Investigative Committee today —the second time in two weeks.

    He will be questioned over the  $43.4million recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Oke will explain today how the cash got to Apartment 7B in Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, The Nation learnt.

    The cash haul is suspected to be part of the slush funds for the failed re-election of former President Goodluck Jonathan

    But Oke, who  has submitted a document to the committee, is said to be insisting that the $43.4million was part of the $289million special intervention funds for NIA which he spelt out in a memo to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Babagana Monguno.

    In the document, Oke  accounted for the $289million, which he said was spent on nine key projects.

    He stressed that the $43.4million was no campaign funds.

    The NIA is, according to a source, worried about the leaks from the panel, which it claims have been destroying its image.

    The committee last night sent text messages to Oke and some government officials whose names were not immediately known.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Oke has been re-invited because the committee has not been convinced about where he got the $43.4m and how the cash got to Apartment 7B in Osborne Towers, Ikoyi.

    “These are the two questions he needs to clarify before we round off our work. We want to give him the benefit of doubt.

    “Oke admitted that NIA got $289 million Special Intervention Funds for nine projects and he has accounted for how the funds were spent on the completed and ongoing projects.

    “The only area of disagreement is that the panel suspects that the $43.4 million is not part of the $289 million. It believes the cash was part of the campaign slush funds for the re-election of ex-President Jonathan.”

    An NIA source said last night that the fresh invitation to Oke was unnecessary because he had provided the committee with all the documents it needed.

    “In fact, NIA accounts have been scrutinised and no infractions were found. Some forces are just desperate to find faults.

    “It is as if there is pre-determined agenda.”

    A document obtained by our correspondent indicated that the NIA DG in a memo of January 26, 2016 to the NSA, gave the following breakdown of the Special Intervention Funds:

    • Total amount—$289, 202, 382
    • Payment already made on nine projects as at January 2016—$98,891,067.57
    • Actual balance—$190, 311.314. 42
    • Cash at hand—$89,298.759.43
    • Cash in the bank—$101,012.555

    But the suspended NIA DG in the memo insisted that the $43.4million was part of the $289million Special Intervention Funds.

    A top NIA source said: “The $43.4million was part of the $89.298million cash at hand with the agency. We have not paid all the bills.  As of January 2016, this agency declared the cash to the NSA in a detailed memo. This cannot be controverted.

    “The NIA was never given any money for the campaign. If the $43.4million was part of the campaign, what will the agency be doing with it for about two years after the election?

    “The $43.4million was part of the funds meant for an ongoing security classified project in Lagos. The money cannot even complete the project; it  is part of the project. If this money is taken away, the project cannot be completed.

    “When the NIA DG appeared before the committee, he insisted that the cash recovered was not slush funds in any manner whatsoever.

    “He even listed the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) , Mallam Lawal  Daura, as one of his witnesses who knew about the classified projects. Daura has formally written to the panel to testify. But the panel has not permitted Daura to appear before it.

    “Up till now, nobody knows why a vital witness was yet to be allowed to testify before the committee.

    “All we are reading about borders on some leaks from the committee which are rubbing off on the image of NIA.

    “As a professional organisation, we believe that some of the leaks were sheer lies from the pit of hell.”

    A source in the Presidency confirmed that the DG of NIA wrote a memo to the NSA and the NSA did a memo to President Muhammadu Buhari and the President was briefed about the nine projects being executed with the $289million.

    “The NSA was said to have raised a committee to inspect the projects. “It is a different ball game  whether or not the funds spent on  the projects were justified,” the source said, pleading not to be nambed because of the “sensitivity” of the matter.

    The Osinbajo panel is yet to do cost analysis, he added.

    “The only issue outstanding before the committee is the suspicion that the $43.4 million was campaign slush funds. It is unclear if NIA does not want to open the Pandora Box,” he said.

    There were indications last night that the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, may have been co-opted into the committee.

    It was not clear if it was based on the directive of the President or not.

    A source close to the committee said: “The presence of the Minister is to clarify the release of some funds, including budgetary and extra-budgetary or for special intervention.

    “I think the committed is at liberty to call on anyone to assist it.”

    But the involvement of the minister has created some disquiet in government circles, with some wondering why those with knowledge of intelligence were not involved in the committee’s work.

  • Osinbajo panel, rare chance for PMB

    Osinbajo panel, rare chance for PMB

    SIR: The panel being headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to investigate the involvement of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal in the “grass-cutting” contract scam and the alleged hibernation of $43.4m in a private Ikoyi residence by NIA boss Ambassador Ayo Oke with a claim to  covert operational exigencies has a single potential to either canonise the present administration’s posture on integrity or completely discredit it.

    The vice president’s job is a recondite one for the fact that he is heading a panel being assailed by a disproportionate tripod in the sense that two members of the panel have insidious interest that may influence not only terms of reference but the tenor of recommendation.

    The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami in his earlier investigation of the SGF largely evaded the substance of the Senate’s indictment and predicated his report on sundry technicalities seen by the general public as a ploy to exonerate the AGF.

    The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno  on the other hand is mentioned as the only senior official of the PMB administration with a detailed knowledge of the hidden forex yet he allegedly made no disclosure to the President.

    For the panel to be above board therefore, the integrity of the vice president is the only clincher and must tower above all primordial interests domiciled in the panel.

    The panel must also extract cogent reason from the NSA why covert the operation was shielded from the president and such volume of cash allowed to lie in a private residence.

    The vice president is not a man susceptible to political or primordial interest and he has a duty to use this panel as a navigational tool in the anti-corruption denouement.

     

    • Bukola Ajisola,

    Lagos.

  • $43.4m: Osinbajo panel writes SGF, NIA DG

    $43.4m: Osinbajo panel writes SGF, NIA DG

    •Suspended officials to respond before Monday •EFCC obtains details of NIA’s transactions with CBN

    •How agency spent Jonathan’s $289m special votes ‘

    The Presidential Investigative Committee has formally written to the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr.  Ayo Oke.

    The committee, headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, directed the two officials to submit all documents relating to award of contracts by the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) and the cash remittances to NIA in the last two years.

    Lawal is being probed over alleged N200 million contract awarded by the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) to Global Vision Limited, a company with which he has links, for the clearing of ‘invasive plant species’ (weeds) in Yobe State.

    Oke, on the other hand, is being investigated over alleged $43.4 million covert operations cash uncovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the 7B apartment in Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The Osinbajo-led panel wrote to the two embattled government officials on Thursday, asking them to submit a comprehensive report complete with all available documents related to the allegations that were levelled against them.

    The documents they are expected to submit include

    • details of appropriated funds in the last two years;
    • allocation of special funds if given;
    • approvals for funds and by who;
    • expenditures; withdrawals from the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) if any;
    • covert operations and for what purposes;
    • completed and non-completed projects;
    • list of contracts awarded;
    • ongoing projects;
    • and operation of safe houses.

    The committee expects the two officials to send their responses to the panel on or before Monday. A source said the committee will start “interacting with the suspended officials from next week.”

    The modalities for their appearance are being worked out by the committee, the source said.  Some government agencies will be invited too for “interaction,” he said.

    Findings made by our correspondent at press time indicated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has retrieved the details of all transactions on NIA’s account from the CBN.

    “We learnt that the anti-graft agency has collected the details of inflow and outflow from our account from the apex bank without our knowledge,” a source in NIA said.

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan was said to have been implicated as the approving authority of a sum of $289 million  given to NIA from the account of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    The said sum, tagged Special Intervention Fund, was said to have been approved by the former president for the security agency in February 2015, in the build-up to the presidential election he eventually lost to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The embattled NIA DG reportedly said he has a copy of the approval letter from Jonathan.

    It was gathered that the Osinbajo committee will also probe speculations that the $289 million might have been part of the slush funds deployed for the 2015 general election.

    A presidency source said: “This is part of why the ongoing investigation is necessary. We suspected that there might be more to it because the funds were released in February 2015.

    “Even if in confidence, Osinbajo’s committee will want to know the nature of the covert operations.

    “The NIA is claiming that the Special Intervention Funds were given to all security agencies but without the approval of the National Assembly.

    “The motive was suspected to have a link with the 2015 presidential election. The funds might be Jonathan’s war chest.”

    Corroborating  the suspicion, a former Assistant Director of NIA, Mr. Ibrahim Ibrahim, told a national newspaper that “Jonathan approved $289 million or so in November 2014 in excess of the approved budget of the agency.

    “So, that excess  was intended  as campaign funds.”

    But a  top NIA official faulted the claim.  “Ibrahim was talking rubbish, he was disengaged a long time ago.

    “He was no longer in the system, so he could not have known of appropriated or special funds. ”

    “How can someone who left the system about five to six years ago be talking authoritatively?

    “Even as an Assistant Director in the system, he could not have known about the financial status of NIA. He is too junior to be in the picture.”

    He said  Ibrahim was disengaged for alleged extreme religious views, he has been looking for any opportunity to get back at NIA.

    “Let him leave the Presidential Investigative Committee to do its job, he said.

    Another source in NIA, who gave an insight into the approval by Jonathan and how the allocation came from NAPIMS, however, said: “When the budget performance was poor and funds were not forthcoming, the former President approved special intervention funds for all security agencies.

    “There is a document showing in clear terms that the ex-President approved the $289 million.

    “We used the funds to upgrade our ICT facilities; execute an ultra-modern conference centre; construct electronic gates in NIA; build 90 (three-bedroom) flats for staff which were completed in December 2016; construct link road and do the ongoing fencing of NIA.

    “It should be put on record that apart from the special intervention funds, NIA was not given any money for capital projects in 2015.

    “Our suspended DG will hand over all the details to the Presidential Investigative Committee, including the approval by the ex-President.

    “A multi-national company handled most of these projects. The company can be invited.”

  • Cross River to set up panel on herdsmen

    Cross River State government is to set up a herdsmen management committee to foster relationship between herders and their host communities to  prevent a breakdown of law and order.

    The committee will, among others, manage the relationship between herdsmen and rural communities.

    This was the outcome of the weekly Security Council meeting held in the Conference Room, Governor’s Office,  Calabar. It was presided over by Governor Ben Ayade.

    Addressing reporters after the meeting, which was also attended by Deputy Governor Ivara Esu, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Fubara Duke, said: “We have concluded arrangement to set up a Herdsmen Management Committee to, among others, foster a healthier relationship between herdsmen and host communities.”

    He added: “The governor has assured citizens that the government will not banish any herdsman from coming to do business in the state, but will encourage them to go about their business peacefully.”

    Duke, dismissing media reports about the herdsmen’s killing, said: “Let me assure you that the governor and the Security Council took exception to stories in sections of the media about the carnage. It was untrue and we use this medium to admonish reporters to verify their stories.”

  • Saraki to panel: I didn’t import N298m SUV

    Saraki to panel: I didn’t import N298m SUV

    •Melaye graduated from ABU with Third Class, says VC

    SENATE President Bukola Saraki yesterday denied importing the controversial N298 million Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).

    He spoke at the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions probing the alleged importation of the bulletproof Ranger Rover SUV.

    Saraki regretted that the Senate was being tackled by unnamed persons for its reversal of the controversial policy of retrospective duty payment on vehicles introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

    The Senator Samuel Anyanwu-led committee also questioned Senator Dino Melaye over allegations that he did not graduate from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria.

    The Senate, on March 21, referred the two issues to the committee for investigation.

    It followed a point of order motion by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South) that booth issues be investigated to protect the integrity of the Senate.

    Ndume relied on some publications to draw the attention of the Senate to the allegations against Saraki and Melaye.

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu promptly referred the issues to the committee to investigate and report back within four weeks.

    Besides Anyanwu, other members of the committee at the investigative hearing included Senators Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North), Bala Ibn Na’Allah (Kebbi South), who excused himself from Saraki’s probe but participated in Melaye’s investigation, Tayo Alasoadura (Ondo Central), Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North), Mathew Urhghide (Edo South) and Albert Akpan, who said he is a friend to Melaye.

    Before Saraki began his testimony, the committee’s chairman explained why he was invited.

    Anyanwu asked Saraki whether he (Saraki) was an importer; whether he imported any vehicle in the name of Abubakar Bukola Saraki and if it is true that he imported SUV Range Rover that was clear with fake customs papers.

    Saraki was also asked whether the SUV was cleared in his name or on his behalf and whether he asked anybody to clear the SUV on his behalf.

    But the Senate President began his testimony by warning those fighting the National Assembly to desist from the act in the interest of democracy.

    He insisted that democracy would not thrive if institutions of government are deliberately weakened and ridiculed.

    Saraki said: “I am not an importer and at no point did I import an SUV Range Rover. As you know, this is a vehicle that is not a “personal vehicle. It is a vehicle which was processed through the National Assembly.

    “I don’t know anything about the importation; I did not appoint any clearing agent or anything like that.

    “Most of the vehicles that are here you only know when it is delivered to you. None of this did I import or getting any agent or going to the port.

    “This is not true. Those that said it know it is not true. Customs knows it is not true, because we all know that all treated vehicles have end user certificate and it states clearly who the importer is and these documents are available and there is no document anywhere that shows my name.

    “So, I want to state categorically that this is not true and it is important that I come here and clear my name and put this matter to rest.

    “We all raised the issue of the policy that is anti-people in the interest of Nigerians. This policy that really had no value at all and that was why this motion came up and we debated it in the interest of Nigerians. But unfortunately, those who want to fight back went and thought there was something to blackmail us with.”

    The chairman of the committee told the importer of the car, Tokunbo Akindele, that he imported an SUV and did not pay duties and that was the reason the Senate is having issue with the Nigerian Customs.

    Akindele responded: “In 2015, on behalf of the firm that I work for, Oando Plc, we imported a Range Rover Bulletproof SUV.

    “We imported it as the company that needed to use it for the various operations that we have around the country.

    “The car took longer than was expected and by the time it reached Nigeria in 2015, September, we decided that we will no longer be using the car, so we effectively packed it.”

    He added that “the car was not imported for the Senate President…

    “The National Assembly took receipt of the car through a consignment from us, through Lanre Shittu Motors, in December 2015.”

    Also speaking, the car dealer, Olanrewaju Shittu, told the committee that they facilitated the sale of the car to the National Assembly.

    He said there was never a time they sold the car to Saraki.

    “It was when the car was intercepted some time in 2017, that it was brought to my knowledge and we contacted Oando, who gave us the papers that they said was false,” Shittu said.

    On the investigation of the certificate forgery against Melaye, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Vice Chancellor Prof. Ibrahim Garba confirmed that Melaye earned a degree in Geography from the Faculty of Arts in 2000.

    Garba, who also appeared before the committee, told the committee that Melaye graduated from the institution as Daniel Jonah Melaye with a third class degree in Geography.

    The VC noted that Melaye graduated and did his one year compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) between 2000 and 2001 in Kaduna State.

    Vice chancellor said: “From the records I know Senator Dino Melaye, who was formerly known as Jonah Daniel Melaye as a former student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and I know him to be the distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “From the records of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria , Distinguished Senator Dino Melaye, who was at that time named Daniel Jonah Melaye graduate with a Third Class degree of the Bachelors of Art in Geography in the year 2000. And by this he is a graduate of the university.

    Melaye, in his testimony, presented documents concerning his admission into ABU, his secondary school certificate, NYSC discharge certificate, change of name and others in acknowledgement of what the VC said about him.

    Melaye said: “I thank you for the invitation and I want to state my unequivocal confidence in this committee to do justice to this matter.

    “I have few documents I would also want to tender to the committee and before I do that I also want to state with every sense of responsibility that  I am a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.

    “I gained admission with an offer of admission on the 6th of September, 1994 and the admission is to study Bachelor of Arts Geography and a copy of that admission letter will be tendered.

    “I also have a second document to tender, my acceptance offer by the university. I also have the third document to tender which is my result from the Ahmadu Bello University certifying me a graduate  of the school.

    “I also have here a document for my registration that I tendered  where I have C5 in CRS, A3 in Agric, C6 in Economics, C6 in Geography, C6 in Biology and a credit in English.

    “I will also tender that as evidence. After my graduation for the Ahmadu Bello University, the school sent my name to the NYSC for the mandatory Service and I participated in the one year NYSC.

    “I served in Police College Kaduna and by the grace of God, that year I won the National Prize of the DG and it is on record and verifiable and I beg to tender my discharge certificate from NYSC,’’ he said

    “My name as an undergraduate was Daniel Jonah Melaye. Jonah is actually my father’s name, so that is what I have on my university certificate.

    “But because I am now popularly known as Dino I applied to the court and asked that I needed an affidavit for change of name before my admission and I submitted it to ABU.

    “I will tender my Identity cards and I came here with a copy of my final year project duly signed by my head of department in the Faculty of Arts as it was then called.”

    When the committee’s proceedings began, Ndume, who raised the issue, was not at the hearing room.

    Clerk of the committee, Freedom Osolo, told the committee that Ndume could not be reached.

    When Ndume eventually came, he was asked why he raised the issue.

    Ndume told the committee that he did not write any petition, but only raised a point of order to draw the attention of the Senate to a newspaper publication.

    He said: “I did not petition. I only raised a point of order. That is Order 14 and 15. That is, when an issue about a lawmaker comes up, we have the right to bring it up. I made a request. The decision to bring this case before this committee is not my doing. It was the decision of the Senate. I did not expect that it will generate this kind of attention.

    “I came here with my own certificate. I was here when the Vice Chancellor said Melaye graduated from the school in 1999. I do not know how you can graduate in 2000, but went for your NYSC in 1999. I do not understand.”

    Anyanwu corrected Ndume. He said the vice chancellor had cleared the air on when Melaye graduated. He said contrary to Ndume’s claims, Melaye’s NYSC discharge certificate shows that he did the compulsory one year national programme in 2000, after his graduation.

    Anyanwu retorted on another point raised by Ndume and said: “You said you did not write any petition, but only raised a point of order. Did you as a senator do any due diligence before you brought the case before the Senate?”

    Ndume again reacted: “That is not my job. That is the job of the committee. I only raised a point of order. I am not Punch Newspaper and I did not write this report.”

    Deputy Senate Leader Bala Na’Allah, who doubles as vice chairman of the Ethics committee explained more: “Is not about the procedure or the contents of the complaints. You are aware that you are a former Leader of the Senate. You are aware that the public, having formed an opinion, based on what you presented, that we clear this whole thing? I am sure we have cleared your mind since you have seen the discharge certificate. What will be your conclusion when you leave here?

    Ndume reacted: “Let me add that I called the attention of the Senate because I feel it is my responsibility to do that. I did not do it in isolation. It has happened before. It cannot be swept under the carpet. He has presented everything. What more do I have to say? What I did was to protect the integrity of the Senate.”

    Ndume left the hearing room at about 2.44pm.

     

  • Alleged N23b bribe: 200 INEC officials face panel

    Ex-REC seeks permission to go on medical trip

    No fewer than 200 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials have been queried for allegedly collecting bribe during the 2015 elections.

    About N23.29billion was allegedly paid out to INEC officials in a desperate bid to change the results of the election, which President Muhammadu Buhari won. The cash, according to investigators, came from former Oil Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    A panel headed by National Commissioner Baba Shetiima Arfo is investigating the alleged involvement of some INEC employees in the scam.

    Apart from internal sanctions by INEC, those found wanting after the probe  are to be released to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for prosecution.

    One of those under interrogation for the scam, former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Gesil Khan, has applied to travel abroad for medical care.

    Khan is under investigation by the EFCC for allegedly collecting  N185, 842,000 out of a N681million bribe.

    The anti-graft agency is weighing whether to release her seized travel document or not, because some suspects have hidden under medical trips to escape trial.

    Alison-Madueke is under EFCC probe over her  alleged involvement in the $115m (N23, 299,705, 000 billion) scandal.

    Four oil firms, 14 directors of oil companies, two banks, two RECs, more than 16 INEC directors and 82 others are also under investigation.

    INEC is considering a report sent to it by the EFCC.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “About 200 INEC employees who have been implicated in one way or the other in the poll bribery scandal have so far been queried.

    “The queries were based on the report of the investigation, which was conducted by the EFCC.”

    Besides, a panel headed by a National Commissioner, Alh. Baba Shetiima Arfo, is grilling  all the affected employees – in line with the extant public service rules.

    “It is after the panel has concluded its work that a disciplinary action will be taken against the guilty ones. Thereafter, the EFCC will proceed with the trial of those with cases to answer,” the source said, adding:

    “It is too early to conclude that all the 200 employees will face trial. They are only going through an internal fact-finding process in INEC.”

    The source added: “The panel is actually taking on the implicated employees based on the six geopolitical zones.

    “These employees, after answering queries, have been coming to the INEC headquarters to appear before the panel.”

    An EFCC source said the agency was ready for the trial of some of the suspects, but “it needs to allow INEC to conclude its internal process”.

    “Some suspects acted in connivance with INEC employees and you cannot isolate the cases at hand,” the source said, pleading not to be named so as not to jeopardise the investigation.

    INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Wole Osaze-Uzzi said: “A panel is sitting but I cannot confirm the total number of people involved. But all those involved will be dealt with administratively without prejudice to what the law enforcement agencies will do.”

    But the fate of a serving Resident Electoral Commissioner, Sylvester Ezeani, may be determined by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Neither INEC chairman nor the panel can take any disciplinary action against a REC.

    Section 3 of INEC Establishment Act says:

    (1)    “ The chairman and members of the Commission shall each hold office for a period of five years and on such terms and conditions as may be specified in their letters of appointment.

    (2)    “ A member may at any time be removed from office by the President for inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for any act of misconduct but shall not be removed from office except in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.

    (3)     ”A member may resign his membership by notice in writing addressed to the President and that member shall, on the date of the receipt of the notice by the President, cease to be a member.”

    Khan’s application to EFCC to travel abroad for medical care came when her investigation was said to have reached “an  advanced stage for trial”.

    The EFCC source added: “At a time we are set for ex-REC Gesil Khan’s trial, we got an application from her to travel abroad for medical care. She wanted the commission to release her passport.

    “Our medical team will go through her records and make appropriate recommendations upon which the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, will exercise his discretion.

    “We may also give her conditions, including being on surveillance by collaborating agencies in whichever country she is travelling to. We have had instances where some suspects who were allowed to travel abroad did not come back.”

    Some INEC officers already grilled by EFCC are the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abia State, Sylvester Ezeani, who has refunded N20million credited to him from the poll cash;  Khan for collecting  N185, 842,000 out of a N681million bribe deal; Fidelia Omoile( Electoral Officer in Isoko-South Local Government Area of Delta State)—N112,480,000 ; Uluochi Obi Brown( INEC’s Administrative Secretary in Delta State)—N111,500,000; a former Deputy Director  of INEC in Cross River state, Edem Okon Effanga—N241,127,000 and the Head of Voter Education in INEC in Akwa Ibom, Immaculata Asuquo—N214,127,000.

    Also, a retired INEC official, Sani Isa  was grilled over alleged N 406,206,000 bribe allegedly collected on behalf of the deceased Resident Electoral Commissioner  (REC), in Kano State, Alhaji Mukaila Abdullahi.

    Those grilled in Gombe are: Godwin Maiyaki Gambo Balanga, Bukar Alone Benisheik, Dukku, Jibril. B. Muhammed,Billiri, Dunguma Musa Dogona, Funakaye, Mohammed. A. Wanka, Kaltungo, Ishaku Yusuf, Kwami, Suleiman Isawa, Nafada, Babagana Malami, Shongom, and Nuhu Samuel, Y/Deba.

     

  • Rivers: 15-man panel to probe Wike, others

    Rivers: 15-man panel to probe Wike, others

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police, Damien Okoro to head a 15-man panel tasked with the responsibility of investigating the alleged audio recording of Governor Nyesom Wike and other violence witnessed  during the rerun election.
    The panel include intelligence, investigative and forensic experts from the police and the Department of the Security Service (DSS).
    Highlighting the terms of reference of the panel, the IGP said: “You are to conduct a thorough investigation into the role of security agents before, during and after the election; examine the role of any police officer or security agents, whose actions or activities individually or collectively affected the conduct of the election.
    “Conduct a forensic analysis on the audio report by Sahara Reporters against Governor Wike as it concerns the election; examine any other matter that is relevant to the conduct of the elections and make recommendations and implementation strategies to guide future elections”.
    The panel, which started work on the 17th of December  has 30 days to work and submit its finding‎s.
    Meanwhile, the IGP tasked the panel to consult all relevant stakeholders, including the Rivers state government, citizens, CSOs and the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) while carrying out its function.

  • Panel: no winner for Awo Prize for Leadership

    The Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership award will not be given out this year because none of the nominees met the set criteria, the award panel said yesterday.
    A statement by selection panel headed by former Commonwealth Secretary General Emeka Anyaoku, said the decision was taken after the final meeting last Thursday.
    It added that the Committee received many quality nominations “and wishes to note that the nominees are highly respected persons who have made significant impact, in various spheres of endeavour”.
    “However, it is important to reiterate that the criteria for selecting an awardee for the prize include integrity, credibility, discipline, visionary leadership, people-centred leadership, grassroots friendly policies, positive policy intervention, impact on poverty reduction/increased welfare, respect for rule of law, honesty, courage, selflessness and accountability as epitomised by Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
    “A recipient of the award is expected to substantially embody these criteria.
    “After thorough and detailed consideration, we regret to announce that we are unable to award the prize this year.
    “In lieu of the award ceremony that would have been held on March 6, next year, the Committee decided that a public lecture will be delivered on the same day by a renowned scholar familiar with the thoughts and accomplishments of the late sage. More details will be provided later.
    “In consonance with the regulations governing the award, therefore, the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation will advertise for nominations in June next year.
    “It is our hope that a suitable awardee will emerge from the process next year.”

  • Emmanuel sets up probe panel

    Emmanuel sets up probe panel

    The Akwa Ibom State Government will probe the collapsed building deaths, Governor Udom Emmanuel said yesterday.

    He said in a broadcast that a “high powered” commission of inquiry would be set up.

    Emmanuel said he was in the church when the incident occurred and personally supervised the rescue operations and evacuation of the injured to the hospital.

    He said: “A high-powered panel of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the immediate and remote factors leading to the collapse of the church building with a view to forestalling the re-occurrence of any such incident and bring to book any persons found to have compromised professional standards in the construction of the building’’

    He commiserated with the families of the victim of the disaster and announced that the state government would bear the medical expenses of the injured.

    He appealed for calm and prayed for those in critical condition in hospitals.

    While   urging the Christian community in the state to show their support love and understanding in prayers, Governor Udom called on people to avoid undue speculation because the situation was being given the best possible attention.

    He said: “I personally supervised the rescue operation and evacuation of of the injured to the hospital; I directed all emergency organization agencies of Government and corporate organization especially the construction companies to be involved in the exercise, they acted promptly and I commend them.”

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State had earlier expressed sadness over the tragic incident although it said it was avoidable.

    A statement by Publicity Secretary Itwa Iwak, said the cruel fate that visited Akwa Ibom people at the Reigners Bible Church was due to human error and was avoidable.

    The party welcomed the decision of the government to set up a panel of enquiry to look into the remote and immediate causes responsible for the sad event.

    The statement reads: “It is our hope that the panel will do a thorough job and that government will be guided by its reports in formulating such policies that will make sure we do not suffer such monumental tragedies in the future.

    “The APC believes and hopes that as this great country redirects its resources and innate potentials towards a more secure, sustainable and prosperous future, avoidable accidents like the Reigners Bible church mishap will be blotted out of our existence by the patriotic commitment of all citizens to the APC’s CHANGE ethos which is designed to enthrone an ordered, disciplined and prosperous country for all.”